Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Jemm // Soulful Beauty of the Week

"Being a woman who likes skateboarding and hardcore rock, I never fit in with the other women I would meet. I was treated differently by other women because I didn't like what they liked. It's hard to force yourself to conform just so others like you. I've learned to embrace being different and being the kind of woman I am. I'm a tomboy and I don't like frilly things or pink but regardless, I'm a woman and I love that I'm different."

|Jemm

*Describe your a-ha moment.
I started loving myself when I was at the bottom. I dug myself so far into depression, self-medicating (heroin, cutting) … When I didn't have anywhere else to go and no one to talk to, I had to face my problems, the path I created and led myself down. I was better than who I made myself, who the drugs wanted me to be... I got up and vowed to help anyone who's ever felt like I did, I knew my reason for being here.

*Tell us something about your personality that used to bother you, but you've now learned to love and use to your advantage?I used to hate how noisy I was. If someone was sad or crying I wanted to know about it, I wanted to help and soothe that breaking or broken heart. Now I love that about my personality. I love that I get to talk to different people and help with whatever they're going through.

*What’s your best piece of woman-to-woman advice?
Do what makes you happy, do what makes your heart smile! The biggest mistake we make is doubting our beauty and who we are just because of what we see in the media or on fashion websites. If you like cheese burgers then eat them! Don't let anyone make you feel like you aren't beautiful because of your eating habits or body type...We are all different, we all have different goals, but we're all beautiful pieces of a grand puzzle.

*What has been your favorite mistake?My favorite mistake was allowing myself to be vulnerable...I told myself I wasn't going to fall in love again because the last time I did, I ended up 18 with a newborn baby. Everyone kept saying I have so much time but regardless of how old I was my first break up was the first and last straw. But I found love again when I stopped hiding behind fear. To quote the lovely Sheryl Crow, he's been my favorite mistake. (I love my husband!)

*So far, what has been the most challenging aspect of being a woman?
Hm, I'd say that being a woman who likes skateboarding and hardcore rock. I never fit in with the other women I would meet. I was treated differently by other women because I didn't like what they liked. It's hard to force yourself to conform just so others like you. I've learned to embrace being different and being the kind of woman I am. I'm a tomboy and I don't like frilly things or pink but regardless, I'm a woman and I love that I'm different.

*What do you not want us to know?

I have bipolar disorder, I'm up one day and down the next. It sucks to not be normal. I'm the mother of two beautiful boys and the wife to an amazing man, and I know there are days when I hurt them and I can't get out of bed without feeling like the world is on my shoulders. For years I refused to admit my problem, but today I can say that I'm coping, and using the best resources I can to live a normal life. I inherited a disease but I will not let that break me.

*When do you feel most creative? What inspires you?

I'm inspired by our world, even with so much negativity, there's a beautiful streak of positivity and that's what inspired me to start my project "Great Love Project". I'm mostly inspired after traveling, there's just something about seeing different places that sparks something in me.

*How do you soothe yourself when you are upset, disappointed, angry, jealous?
When I'm angry I turn on some incubus and that just about always soothes my soul, the lyrics, the art of the way the words move.

*What does it mean to you to be a soulful beauty?

To be a soulful beauty is to be someone who isn't afraid to be who she is, to live according to her own, and to truly love herself and not be afraid to show it.

*What is your favorite quote, scripture or affirmation?

You are fearfully and wonderfully and beautifully made. Whether it be scripture or song lyrics, this is always true and forever my favorite.

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Welcome! I’m GG Renee. Author. Coach. Feeler. Overthinker. If you are a crazy beautiful complex free creative inspired love drunk woman, then you are in the right place. I write to inspire you. Here, we explore all the many layers of being a soulful woman. If you'd like to find out more, start here.